CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Mount St. Joseph University men's basketball team was defeated by Anderson University, 73-69, at the Harrington Center Saturday afternoon.
The first half was tightly contested, featuring eleven lead changes. The largest lead of the half for both teams was four points. Joe Brand led the Lions with 16 first-half points, making five three-pointers and converting a four-point play, with Michael Loftis following with nine points. Brand hit his fifth three of the half off a pass from Loftis at the 0:59 mark to give the Mount a 34-33 lead, which they would take into halftime. The Lions shot 41% from three-point range in the half, going 7-for-17.
The Mount took their biggest lead of the game at six points early in the second half, with back-to-back buckets from Jason Lavender giving them a 41-35 advantage. Anderson then took the lead, and the teams would exchange it multiple times. At the 7:37 mark, Cooper Ollis hit a three-pointer off a pass from Jay Bilton to tie the game at 60-60. On the next possession, Bilton scored a layup to give the Lions a 62-60 lead with 6:53 remaining. The Ravens regained the lead and never surrender it, as the Mount fell 73-69.
The Lions were led by Joe Brand, who scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Michael Loftis added 13 points and 5 rebounds, with Cooper Ollis contributing 12 points and 6 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Lions will travel to Berea, Kentucky, on January 14 to take on Berea College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
